Nutritional status of pre-schooling children of different socio-econornic statuses as influence by various diseases

The study was carried out on 100 children [85 malnourished and 15 apparently healthy] of pre-schooling age [0-4 years]. The malnourished children were randomly selected from those admitted to Pediatrics wards of Allied and National Hospitals at Faisalabad [Punjab]. The test patients were divided into four age groups [up to 12, 13-23, 24-35 and 36-48 months], three socio-economic statuses, i.e. lower class [maximum earning of Rs. 5000 per month], middle class [Rs. 5000 - 15000 per month] and upper class [minimum earning of Rs. 15000 per month], sex and on the basis of area of living, i.e. industrial or non-industrial. Parameters of study included anthropometrics [BMI, mid-arm circumference and percent weight]. The obtained results revealed that diarrhoea, fever and malnutrition were the major complaints. Mid-arm circumference, percent of weight and body mass index were low in malnourished children. They were also low among malnourished children of 3rd degree. In each socio-economic status, age and sex groups, serum iron and copper were higher in malnourished children and in females than in males. Malnutrition was more prevalent in children of up to 12 months of age, in males, in children of low socio-economic status and of non-industrial area. Several types of milk were more frequently offered to males and breast-feeding was more often offered by uneducated and under-matriculate mothers

Levels of serum Cu, Fe and Zn along with serum total proteins and fractions in disease malnourished children of 4 - 12 years of age

This study was conducted to uncover the differences in the serum Cu, Fe, Zn and proteins in children of different degrees of malnutrition. For this purpose 85 malnourished and 15 normal children of school age [4-12 years] were chosen. Results revealed that serum Fe and Cu were significantly or relatively higher in malnourished than apparently healthy children irrespective of age, sex, socio-economic status or area of living. The levels of serum Zn, however, showed statistically non-significant differences between malnourished and apparently healthy children. Serum levels of total proteins and globulins were significantly or relatively lower in malnourished compared to the children of control group irrespective of age, sex, socio-economic status and area of living. The results of albumin were variable in these groups. While serum total proteins and globulins in male malnourished children were significantly lower compared to the male children of the control group, it was non-significantly different among females. The means of serum Cu, Zn and Fe in severely malnourished males and females were 48.61, 80.40; 50.00, 48.20; 227.15, 229.40 micro g/dL, respectively. These parameters in children of low and middle socio-economic status were 58.30, 90.00; 47.80, 58.67; 240.15, 148.00 micro g/dL, respectively while in severely malnourished children of three age groups [4-6, 7-9 and 10-12 years] were 38.25, 81.00, 71.55; 50.50, 46.66, 49.77; 224.88, 155.00, 279.78 micro g/dL, respectively. It can be concluded from the present study that serum Cu and Fe levels are increased, while serum total proteins and globulins are decreased in children of 4-12 years of age suffering from disease malnutrition